Gum resin as a carrier for topical application of antimicrobial agents
The invention provides a biological dressing for treatment of a dermatological disease comprised of a gum resin, a topically acceptable volatile solvent, and a pharmacologically active agent. The gum resin is present in a suitable amount that the composition, when the solvent evaporates, will dry to form a solid coating that sticks to the skin or mucosal membrane to which the composition is applied and maintain the pharmacologically active agent over a sustained period of time in contact with sites on the skin or mucosal membranes exhibiting symptoms of the disease. Methods are provided for treating symptoms of dermatological diseases with such a pharmacological composition. Biological dressings including tincture of benzoin and clotrimazole are shown to be efficacious for the long-term amelioration of symptoms of athlete's foot.
1. A composition comprising:
a) mastic gum in an amount of about 10% to about 40%;
b) at least one topically acceptable agent selected from the group consisting of clindamycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, mupirocin, gentamicin, metronidizole, bacitracin, neomycin, polymyxin B, and clotrimazole; and
c) a topically acceptable volatile solvent in an amount of about 60% to about 90%, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of isopropanol and ethanol.
2. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the topically acceptable volatile solvent comprises ethanol.
3. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the agent is clotrimazole.
4. The composition according to claim 1 , further comprising a penetration enhancer.
5. A composition comprising:
a) mastic gum in an amount of about 10% to about 40%;
b) clotrimazole; and
c) ethanol in an amount of about 60% to about 90%.
6. A composition comprising:
a) mastic gum in an amount of about 10% to about 40%;
b) 1% clotrimazole; and
c) 60% ethanol.
7. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the agent is bacitracin.
8. A composition comprising: a) mastic gum; b) bacitracin; c) Polymyxin B; and d) 90% ethanol.
9. A composition comprising: a) mastic gum in an amount of about 10%; b) 1% clotrimazole; and c) 90% ethanol.
10. The composition according to claim 4 , wherein the penetration enhancer is dimethylsulfoxide.
11. The composition according to any one of claims 1 , 5 , and 6 , further comprising an oil.
12. A liquid composition consisting essentially of:
a) a mastic gum in an amount of about 10% to about 40%;
b) at least one topically acceptable agent selected from the group consisting of clindamycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, mupirocin, gentamicin, metronidizole, bacitracin, neomycin, polymyxin B, and clotrimazole; and
c) a topically acceptable volatile solvent for the mastic gum and the agent in an amount of about 60% to about 90%, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of isopropanol and ethanol.
13. The composition according to claim 12 , wherein the agent is bacitracin.